Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-02-12

Now the Talk Of the Worid.
The composer, Giuseppe Verdi, who is
revolutionizing lyric enthusiasts by his
opera Of "Otello," IL the son of an inn
keeper, and was born at Rsncols, in the
duchy Of Parma, October 9 1914, receiving
his first lessons in music from an orgsnist In
Milan, where he resided from 1888 until 1886.
He afterwards studied diligently under La.
vings, and in 1880 published his earliest
work, q musical drama, entitled " Oberto di
San Banaiazi." Verdfs principal compost.
tions are serious operas, and the al ombardi,"
one Of his first productions, made strong
impression throughout Italy, and laid the
foundation OF his fame. His best and widest
known operas are Nebucadonosor," " Er.
psni," founded on Victor Hugo's tragedy,
the " Duo Foscari," " Attilla," I" Macbeth,"
the Masnadieri," founded on the 81 Rob.
bers" of Schiller, "Louisa Miller" "Rgo-
letto," the Trovatore," "La Troviata,"
"Un Ballo 10 Msscherori" performed in
London in 1861, and "Don Carlos" tper.
formed at the Royal italian opera, Covent
garden, in ls67.) The Masnsderi," writ
ten for Her Msjesty's theatre and produced
in lsi7, with Jenny Lind as heroine, proved
failure in London, though it has since been
successfully received In Italy. The Trovs-
tor" and "Ls Troviata" have had great
success not oniy in Italy, but in Germsny.
France and England. Signor Nerdi's more
recent operas are "GiAvanno D'Arco" in
1865, "La Fora del Des,ino" in 1869,
Aida" performed at the Scala, Milan, May,
., ls7i. Verdi was elected member OF the
Italian Parliament In 1861, and in ISL he
went To Florence In order to assume the post
offered him by the Italian minister of public
instruction, for the improvement and reor.
ganization OF the Italian musical institute.
Verdi, who IL q member OF the Legion OF
Honor, was elected corresponding member
OF the Academic des Beaux Arts in 1859, and
was grand cross of the Russian Order Of St
Stanislsus In 1862 I; foreign associate Of the
Academic des Bsaux Arts June, Is, 1854,
and grand officer Of the Order Of the Crown
OF Italy in 1872, in which year the viceroy Of
Egypt conferred On him the Order OF OsmanL
King Victor Emmanuel, by decree dated
Nov. q, 1874, created Signor Verdi su Italian
senator. In May, 1875, he was nominated
commander OF the Legion OF Honor, and the
Italian minister at Paris was charged TO pre-
sent him with the insiguia OF the order, &C
companied by flattering letter from the Due
Decazss. In the Same year he was decorated
with the cross OF commander aud star Of
the Austrian Order OF Franz Joseph. Signor
Verdi completed, in 1875, new opera, In i've
acts, entitled an ontezuma," which was per.
formed for the first time st La Scala, Milan.
On his return from Paris to his native coun.
try in April, 1850, he received the order Of
the crown OF Italy. To speak OF Verdi per.
sonally, 1t IL said his favorits occupation Is
farming, when he has any time TO spare for
II. He is q much at homo In crops and cattle
aud agricultural operations OF all sorts as he is
In counterpoint and thorough base. The far.
mers In the vicinity Of his villa at SAINT
A gaia look up to him - an authority on all
questions connected with the cultivation OF
the soil, and he il daily to DO seen on the
grounds of one or another OF his neighbors,
giving advice or directing the laborers in
their tasks, in which eis not above lending
a hand himself when occasion requires